My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Defeating Terrorism in a 9/11 World

Friday, September 12, 2008

I See... Defeating Terrorism in a 9/11 World

The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) is a tough problem to wrap our brains around. Americans have not seen a war like this since Americans were American. Traditional balance-of power theories that can explain modern war do not explain GWOT. This is not a war for independence (our first war), for states rights (our Civil War), or even for global power and domination (every war since then). It is a holy war for our hearts and souls. The radical Islam world wants the hearts and souls of Americans who are free to choose freedom over fanaticism. Well, they can’t have mine, and I hope they don’t have yours, either.

Once we know what they are after, the formula for victory is simple. The point of terrorism is to invoke and inspire fear to get your way. Al Qaeda’s hope is that via the attacks of 9/11, our confidence will be overwhelmed by the fear of death and destruction. The solution is found in the plan of salvation. Has anyone told Al Qaeda that God, a God who even loves them in their iniquities, has blessed us with free agency? And with that free agency, we can choose to replace fear with faith? Replace death and destruction with martyrs and monuments?

We can. This is our gift and our blessing; to replace fear with faith, and death and destruction with martyrs and monuments. We win the fight by not remembering the attack, but by memorializing the heroes who died that day saving others. Those who choose to lose by living in fear are giving away the victory.

Faith without works is dead. In the global war on terrorism, if we choose to have faith in a future without fear, our works should include ignoring and eradicating the symbols and images of terror meant to steal our hearts and souls. For me, that means no more images of exploding towers and bloodied bodies. It means focusing on that which uplifts and inspires us in the face of terror: the stories of those who sacrificed their lives that day, as well as of those soldiers and families who sacrifice so much today in the sands of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to rob terrorism of its roots.

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The Mormon Third Eye Quote of the Week

"As men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church. But we must be men that women can trust, that children can trust, and that God can trust. In the Church and kingdom of God in these latter days, we cannot afford to have boys and men who are drifting. We cannot afford young men who lack self-discipline and live only to be entertained. We cannot afford young adult men who are going nowhere in life, who are not serious about forming families and making a real contribution in this world. We cannot afford husbands and fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership in the home."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Priesthood Session Conference, October 2012

Why My Mormon Third Eye?

When I politely excused myself in the middle of dinner to make a bathroom stop, how did Mom know that I had uneaten peas in my pocket to flush down the toilet? When I came home late from a youth dance and slid quietly into bed to avoid waking parental units, how did Dad know, without looking at the car, that I smashed in the front bumper? When I watch my daughter play a video game, how do I know that she's not ready for her Geometry final?

Its the Third Eye. The notorious eye in the back of the head, the extra view of life that God blesses parents striving to do the right thing so they can see more of life than the children they chase after.

Our third eye also permits us to see things and feel emotions that are too refined, too far on the edge of our standard two-eyed peripheral vision to enjoy in its fullness. I've learned that I have a Mormon Third Eye; that is, as a life-long, fully-dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have unique perspective on how the doctrines of the gospel and the demands of my faith in them intersect every other part of my mortal existence to create the entertaining, self-deprecating kaleidoscope of my life.

So... for those of you bold and bored enough to read this far, every so often I'll be sharing here what my Mormon third eye sees. Third eyes are relatively huge; they see the humorous, the entertaining, the embarrassing, the beautiful, the inspirational, and even the moral and political; however, they tend to ignore the evil, depressing and destructive: there is enough of that in world already!

The Four Secrets to Successful Living

Always Go Where There is Free Food - This includes ward and work parties, wedding receptions and missionary open houses; the money you spend to buy the ingredients for the world-famous triple chocolate cake you bring doesn’t count.
Never Pay Full Price for Anything – See my posts on Black Friday escapades for more information on this.
Never, Ever Press the Red Button - Usually, if you are faced with a red button somewhere, don’t press it – it usually means trouble. For example, the red button launches the missiles. Do yourself a favor and don’t press it.
Any Problem You Face Can Be Solved With Bungee Cords and Duct Tape - Bungee cord and duct tape technology has saved many marriages and ward parties. I’m not just talking about problems with plumbing or keeping groceries from bouncing around the trunk; I know of relationship and family issues that have been solved with creative applications of these two substances.